What is a stroke?

A stroke is a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain. Without the oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood, brain cells begin to die. The longer blood flow is interrupted, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage and death.

There are two common types of stroke:

Type of stroke

What happens

Ischemic stroke (80% of strokes)

A blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain. Ischemic strokes may be:

thrombotic: A blood clot forms in a blood vessel in the brain and blocks it.

embolic: A blood clot forms in another part of the body (such as the heart), moves into the brain, and blocks a blood vessel.

Hemorrhagic stroke (20% of strokes)

Blood vessels rupture in the brain, causing blood to leak out. The leaking blood and the interruption of normal blood flow damage the brain.

Some people may have a "mini-stroke," also called a TIA (transient ischemic attack). With a TIA, the blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. A TIA causes the same symptoms as a stroke, but the symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours. However, a TIA is still very serious because it could still cause brain damage, and because it is a warning that you are at risk of a stroke.

Am I at risk for a stroke?

Every 10 minutes on average, a Canadian has a stroke. Could you be next?

There are many things that increase your risk of a stroke (called stroke risk factors).

This list includes common stroke warning signs but is not a complete list of all possible warning signs. Some people may have additional warning signs not listed above.

How could a stroke affect my health and lifestyle?

The effects of a stroke vary from person to person: some people die, others recover completely, but many have effects that could last a lifetime.

Here's what could happen to you after a stroke:

Death

15%

Very severe disability (you will need long-term care)

10%

Moderate-to-severe disability (you can function on your own but with difficulty)

40%

Mild disability (your disability is inconvenient but does not have a major impact on your life)

25%

Complete recovery

10%

A stroke can affect many different parts of your life, depending on the areas of the brain that were damaged:

Type of problem

What could happen?

How could this affect my life?

Physical problems

You could have weakness or paralysis along one side of your body, painful muscle spasms, vision changes (double vision or "blind spots"), difficulty swallowing, constant pain, poor balance, or a loss of fine motor skills (the ability to make small, precise movements).

It might be harder for you to get around and do your usual activities.

Mental challenges

You could have trouble speaking, understanding speech, remembering recent events, or learning and remembering new information.

You could also have personality changes, poor judgment, and impulsive behaviour.

It could be harder for you to do your job and function day to day.

Emotional changes

You may also feel frustrated, angry, depressed, or emotionally out of control.

This could put a strain on your relationships.

Some of these problems may improve over time. Stroke rehabilitation can help people regain some of the function they have lost and live life to the fullest.